It’s not hard to have your spirits lifted in Harlem, where houses of worship abound.

But one church on 120th Street in particular is lifting spirits in more ways than one.

Bethel Gospel Assembly is home to Eagles’ Wings Aviation Mission Inc., a unique nonprofit program that offers youths a chance to take flights of fancy by learning to fly.

And more importantly, says the director, the program offers youngsters an opportunity to soar into a career that many would otherwise never even envision.

The Rev. Walter Wilson of Bethel Gospel says the program had “humble beginnings” that started with its leader, David Leader.

“He recognized that there weren’t a lot of minorities flying and that a lot of inner-city kids don’t have the opportunity to even be exposed to flying,” Wilson says.

Leader, a member of the church since 1975 and now a deacon, is a pilot with the New York City Police Department. Three years ago he started collecting redeemable bottles and cans until he had enough to buy a plane.

Now, the church has two.

“The idea was to reach out and get inner-city kids and sponsor trips to the airport,” Wilson says. “For many, it was the first time they’d gone behind the scenes.”

The youngsters who really showed an interest were given a chance to climb into the cockpit and learn to fly.

Since then, dozens of youngsters have joined the classes. They’re not just learning about piloting a plane, but also designing aircraft, maintenance and mechanics.

Leader, 41, says he thought recently about why he works so hard to make this program a success.

“It’s a sacrifice,” he says. “But my satisfaction is the fact that I’m doing what I wish someone had done for me.”

Leader grew up in his native Trinidad and dreamed of being a pilot one day. It was an uphill battle from the start.

“If it’s a little easier for the next person …” he says, and then notes, “We shouldn’t be selfish with the blessings God has bestowed upon us.”

Keeping the program going is still a daily battle. The bottle and can collections grew into donations here and there and he’s gotten commitments from friends to help teach the youngsters.

“We’re hoping to do some grant proposals,” to continue growing, he says.

Vincent Williams, 15, who is taking full advantage of the program’s offerings, says he feels especially lucky because Leader is his uncle.

“He’s teaching us about career opportunities,” says Vincent, who lives in Rockland County.

Vincent says that when he was little he would sit on his grandfather’s porch and watch the birds fly by and the planes fly even higher.

“I just knew then that I wanted to become a pilot,” the youth says.

“At first I had my doubts about becoming an pilot, but as I began going to the classes more and more I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Of course, Bethel Gospel isn’t the only church in Harlem working to make the community a better, more prosperous place.

There’s Bethel AME Church, where First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke to more than 800 people this year in her Senate campaign, and the revered Abyssinian Baptist, where the Rev. Calvin Butts continues a tradition of activism, just to name a few.